A HEROES’ welcome greeted the crews of the Clipper 2009/10 Round the World Yacht Race when they returned home from their 35,000-mile circumnavigation.

Weymouth skipper Jan Ridd, who finished third in the 10-boat fleet with his crew on the Cape Breton Island yacht, described the celebrations in Hull on Saturday as ‘amazing.’ Skipper Ridd, 47, said the crews also enjoyed a huge welcome in Ireland and then Portsmouth when the yachts returned to the Clipper headquarters in Gosport early Wednesday morning and he looked forward to a fourth homecoming in Weymouth.

Ridd, who used to own the Bar on the Corner in St Thomas Street, said highlights of the 10-month voyage included watching his crew develop from inexperienced sailors from all walks of life to experienced yachtsmen.

He said: “The pacific crossing from Qingdao to San Francisco was also memorable, it’s a massive ocean but there was a really bad storm and a couple of the boats got into trouble.

“It wasn’t fun at the time but looking back it was a real achievement.”

He added: “I’ve been working for Clipper as a training skipper for the last five years, training crew, but this was my first time skippering a Clipper boat around.

“It was more than I expected, as the boat got further down the line it just got better and better.”

Former Dorchester pupil Andrew Jones, nicknamed Heston for his likeness to celebrity chef Heston Blumenthal, also returned triumphant in sixth place with his yacht Uniquely Singapore.

His parents Chris and Mick Jones, of Barrow Close, Dorchester were among 50,000 people who lined the banks of the Humber and the quayside of Hull Marina to welcome the crews.

Proud mum Chris said: “It was a truly wonderful weekend. There was great excitement when the yachts sailed into the marina, with friends and family cheering.

“Then the great moment arrived when Andrew was on dry land and heading towards us, his great adventure over.

“It was a very emotional moment. Apart from us, other friends and colleagues, including his ex-boss were there to welcome him home.”

She added: “On Sunday there was a Uniquely Singapore friends and family brunch.

“Andrew gave a presentation on the highs and lows of the expedition. Some parts were very funny and others very scary to watch.

“There was an amazing camaraderie on Uniquely Singapore, I think the crew will remain friends for life, they have been through so much together.

“They are all very brave to take on this challenge and should be very proud to have completed the course.”

Former Thomas Hardye pupil Lois Bickerton, who took part in the first three legs of the race to western Australia, also attended the celebrations.